Katy Gordon

While most party representatives at the Everyone Campaign hustings agreed that environmental concerns should take high priority at Holyrood, Katy was the only one able to point to a proud record of achievement for the party in government over the last 8 years. The event was organised by the John Muir Trust, one of the country’s leading guardians of wild land and wildlife and took place at Glasgow Caledonian University on Thursday 29th March. Chaired by Iain MacWhirter of the Herald & Sunday Herald, a good turnout of well informed members of the public kept panellists on their toes with questions about the M74 extension, the Beauly Denny pipeline, wind farms, cars versus public transport and allotment provision. In her opening statement, Katy set out Liberal Democrat priorities on the environment for the next parliament, highlighting the party’s commitment to:

• Ensure 100% of Scotland’s energy should come from renewable sources by 2050
• Create local power in every community in Scotland
• Increase energy efficiency and promote a micropower revolution
• Massively expand recycling, aiming for 70% municipal recycling by 2020
• Further prioritise public transport, building on the shift Lib Dem transport ministers have achieved by transfering 70% of the transport budget to public transport

In the succeeding debate, Katy further explained the party’s commitment to promoting improved cycle routes in towns, progressing the proposal for a Marine National park and continuing to encourage the development of new renewable sources of energy such as wave and tidal power. For further information on the Liberal Democrat’s policies on the environment, read the pre-manifesto of the Scottish Lib Dems.